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LAHORE, April 3: Taking up objections raised to the candidature of former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, returning officers of two constituencies (PP-159 and 161) on Wednesday sought a written reply from Mr Sharif.

Returning Officer of PP-159 Ghulam Murtaza sought a reply from the former chief minister by April 5 and RO of PP-161 Syed Ali Imran fixed April 6 for submission of the reply.

Two citizens Babar Amin and Saeed Iqtidar challenged the nomination papers of Shahbaz Sharif from PP-159 and submitted that all the prophets of Allah had sported beard but Mr Sharif despite being a Muslim did not follow the Islamic teachings. Moreover, they said the respondent (Sharif) failed to keep his promises made to people of the province.

The applicants pleaded that the respondent did not fulfill the criterion for member of the parliament laid down in Articles 62 and 63.

Advocate Rana Sajjad objected to the candidature of Mr Sharif from PP-161 and alleged that the former chief minister concealed his assets and the details of bank loans. The lawyer pointed out that Mr Sharif in the nomination papers mentioned “politics” as his occupation whereas the politics was not the profession but a service to the nation.

The applicant pleaded that the nomination papers of Mr Sharif be rejected being a dishonest person.